Top rated

This water heater is a favorite among RV guys for good reason. Bosch is a great company that you can always trust.

We love how quickly this tank heats water up, it runs off 120 volts and puts out 1440 watts and give you INSTANT hot water, you’ll never see a complaint after installing this little guy.

Another great thing about this water heater is the size and ease of installation, it can be mounted on a wall or on the floor and only weighs 30 pounds.

This tank puts out 150 psi and you can control the temp from 65-145 degrees.

We think this is the perfect little tank for a sink or shower in your RV

How it performs

This tankless heater has ample hot water on demand, for most people that are use to waiting several minutes for warm water will not experience this anymore. You will truly be surprised at how efficient it is for such a small unit.

Outstanding reheat time and standby time is amazing, this was a huge upgrade from older units with and without tanks.

Like our last option, this is another small electric water heater that gets the job done. The bid difference between the two is gallon size : 6 gallons vs 7 gallons and this option does not required to be hard wired.

That’s right, this is truly a plug and play option, it can be moved and hooked up to an outlet to give you hot water.

While this unit is very small it truly does pack a punch with its 1440 watts for heating.

One great feature that will ensure this heater will last is the glass lining which not only increases durability but also insulation.

How it performs

This is highly praised for its super easy of installation, profitability and lightening quick heating time.

When heating water in an RV sometimes results waiting several minutes and wasting several gallons of water.

With this unit that is in the past, you will have how water in 3-5 seconds depending on the demand and distance.

The only downside I’ve found when using this unit is during installation, you have to make sure you check on your water line size. For some people, you’ll have to convert line size from 3/4″ to 1/2″ line.

We really like the easy dial that allow you to turn and select you’re desired water temperature.

Overall I would suggest this unit if you want to replace you’re current age heater and want something you can pick up, move and plug in.

This tank is highly efficient and designed to ensure no wasting of water. It is designed with titanium glass lined and insulated with CFC free foam.

Unlike the other tanks we have reviewed, this one has a power wattage of 2000 watts to give it an extra boost in heating power.

Most people will agree that this tank will do everything a normal sized tank can do.

How it performs

First off the installation of this tank is a breeze. As recommended earlier, always make sure you’re using the right line size fittings. Although this is a 1/2″ line tank it comes with a 3/4″ reducer in case your line size is different.

The tank is small and can be tucked away anywhere you need it, either mounted on the wall or on the floor or under the sink.

Performance wise this tank is perfect, you have instant hot water and enough heating power to take a nice shower.

Overall we think this is a nice choice for any sized RV and will perform greatly for even an RV with a whole family.

Tankless water heaters 101

What is an RV Tankless Water Heater?

Tankless water heaters are still a new concept that aims at creating a more energy-efficient home or RV. Unlike the traditional water heaters, which constantly heat and reheat the water to maintain its warmth for long, tankless water heaters generate water that is already warm, using electric coils or high powered gas burners. While this requires a lot of energy, the fact that the water is not continuously reheated means electric tankless water heaters use less power overall.

What to Look for in Electric Tankless Water HeatersBefore buying or upgrading a tankless water heater for your RV, perhaps you should have an idea of what you want in your next water heater. As we have mentioned, tankless water heaters, or demand-type water heaters, are much more energy efficient compared to the traditional ones, because there is no loss of heat from still water. Also, because it doesn’t use a tank (tankless!), demand-type water heaters are much smaller and pose less spillage risk.

Below are a few key things you should look for in an electric tankless water heater for RV:

Electric or GasTankless water heaters come in two forms: electric- and gas-supported. Which one you get will depend on where you live and the electric grid you are on. Typically, gas-supported tankless water heaters are less expensive per unit, plus they also have comparatively higher flow rates.

An electric-powered tankless water heater will come with electric hookups, however, propane-powered heater are usually easier to install and even though you will have to sporadically replace the propane, it is worth it considering the increased rate of flow. Gas-fueled systems usually have quick response time as well as high heat output.

DesignThe design also matters when it comes to the best electric tankless water heaters for RV. You want a water heater that has a display you know will be able to use.

WarrantyIf you are looking to buy electric tankless water heaters for RV, warranty is the most important thing to check. Warranties will vary from brand to brand and model to model. Getting a warranty will ensure you have peace of mind.

When inspecting the right electric water heater to use, make sure you compare warranties and pay attention to the time frame offered. It says a lot when a manufacturer stands behind their product with a decent warranty time frame.

SizeTankless water heaters are normally sized according to their temperature rise required to achieve a precise flow rate. As a rule of thumb, a tankless water heater should produce at least 2 to 5 gallons flow rate of hot water every minute. Gas-powered on-demand systems tend to produce a higher flow rate compared to electric systems.

RV Tankless Water Heater Pros and ConsNow let’s take you through some of the pros and cons of electric tankless water heaters, so you can see how good these tools are.

ProsProduces instant hot water One of the major advantages of tankless water heaters is that they usually produce instant hot water. After releasing the cold waters into the system, the tankless water heater will immediately start to produce a continuous stream of hot water, without the need for a bulky storage tank.

Long-lastingAnother advantage of tankless water heaters is their ability to last longer compared to the traditional units. An average on-demand system can last for decades. This longevity makes tankless units a sound investment for RV and homeowners.

Lower monthly costsThough on-demand systems cost more when you consider upfront outlays, they are much less expensive in the long run. According to Consumer Reports, tankless units are 22% more efficient compared to the traditional models, and so, they can help you save hundreds of dollars each year.

Saves space

Tankless water heaters, as it is in the name, don’t use tanks to store heated water, thus, they are much smaller compared to the standard model. You will just need to install them on a wall in a modest place in your RV or the basement of your home. For an RV owner, space-saving is sure a welcome benefit.

An infinite supply of hot waterIf all of you need to take a shower in your household, the hot water will eventually run out if you are using a standard water heater. But with a tankless water heater, you will never run out of hot water no matter the situation.

Each tankless water heater comes with a maximum flow rate, which essentially means it can only heat a certain volume of water at a given time. This also means that if your hot water usage is below the maximum flow rate, your tankless water heater will provide an endless supply of hot water.

Lower risks of leakage and water damageOne of the major programs facing tank-style water heaters is that over time, minerals from hard water accumulates inside the tank, leading to corrosion and ultimately leaks and flooding.

However, this doesn’t mean that tankless units are immune to problems, as we will discuss later.

Zero tank explosion riskTraditional water heaters usually have a temperature and pressure relief valve that is supposed to open to discharge pressure and remove the risks of the tank exploding.

But the problem is, over time, sediments and minerals from the water can clog up the tank’s valve, thus preventing it from releasing pressure. While you can avoid this by regularly testing the valve of the tank at least once every year, you will not have these issues with tankless water heaters.

Cons

Coldwater sandwich

Another problem only experienced by individuals using tankless water is a cold water sandwich. This phenomenon occurs when the recurrent use of hot water makes you feel an initial urge to use hot water followed immediately by cold water, which rapidly turns hot again.

When you quickly alternate between hot and cold water, it creates a delay between when the heater starts and when the water starts to flow, thus causing a short spurt of cold water before hot water.

Can RV Tankless Water Heater Have Problems?Nothing works perfectly without problems, and that is also the case with the RV electric tankless water heaters. Below are some of the problems you should expect to encounter when using RV tankless water heater:

Problem #1: Mineral BuildupUnfortunately, this is a problem that you cannot avoid when using a water heater, whether tankless or tank-style.

Problem #2: System OverloadToo many instantaneous hot water applications can eventually overload your water heater system.

Problem #3: Ignition FailureYour RV electric tankless water heater may also fail to ignite. One of the most common issues is usually clogged water valves.

Problem #4: Flame FailureFlame failure is the most common problem encountered in the electric tankless water heaters. The possible cause might be regulator failure.

Electric Tankless Water Heater vs. GasThere are many reasons to choose electric tankless water heaters over the gas tankless unit. The first reason is so that you don’t have to refill your propane tank now and then.

More reasons to choose electric over gas-powered units to include:

-Ease of use

-Compact and save space because you don’t need a propane tank

-Readily available power source

How to Install a Tankless Water Heater

So, how do you install an electric tankless water heater in your RV? Below are steps to follow to install the on-demand system in your camper.

Step #1: Find the ideal placement

Step #2: Locate your RV connection points

Step #3: Attach water lines

Step #4: Insert batteries

These batteries (two D cells) are for activating the automatic piezo start off.

Step #5: Attach the showerhead and connect the water heater to power output.

You are good to go!

Conclusion

The electric tankless water heater is a great option for adding hot water to your RV. The unit is pretty much easy to install and is versatile enough to be set up right into your 12V sink system.

The units we have reviewed are almost similar in quality, and to pick the one that fits your RV needs, you will want to pay attention to the maximum temperature rise, special features, and run time.

Also remember to have a good water pump to ensure you have adequate pressure.

Let us know if you still have some questions or if you run into problems installing the unit in your RV.

This is a great shower curtain that we personally have purchased. Its 100% polyester and most important mold and mildew resistant. All you have to do is keep it open after use to dry it. This curtain also is water repellent so it won’t be all nasty and soaking wet after use. It will help tremendously in the long run.

Why we love it:

Very clean look and doesn’t look gross after several weeks which is common with some curtains

Never have issues with mildew

Water repellent

Throw it in the washer to clean with a small amount of bleach to keep it nice and white

RV Pellet Stoves: A complete guide

Over the years I’ve considered many options for heating my RV, it seems that no matter what I try, keeping my RV warm in an affordable way just never works too well and finding the best RV heating source is nowhere to be found.

I’ve noticed that most of my heat escapes through the RV windows as well as my microwave vent and most electrical and oil appliances are just too darn expensive.

Up until now I’ve relied on a portable propane heater but really despise lugging those little propane bottles around, I’ve just never been a fan.

Fast forward to today, I can tell you my favorite way to heat my RV is a pellet stove. For those of you who don’t know what these are, it acts like a modern furnace that burns little compacted pellets from different biofuel sources mainly from waists from wood waste such as corn stalk, and sawmill wood.

Pellet stove

The neat thing about these wood pellets is they burn cleaner than wood and give off less obnoxious smoke and are better for the environment.The cost efficiency of burning wood pellets is WAY better than oil or propane.

Pellet stoves are very efficient and I’ve found they are the best at heating RV’s cheaply. Here is a great article explaining how they work for houses which will be similar to the ones that work in RVs.

The comfortbilt HP50 is a great option for smaller RVs and lower budgets.

Its super attractive, yet still has the functions of the higher end pellet stoves. It contains a 47 pound hopper and will put out 42,000 BTUs and heat up to 2200 square feet which is impressive at this price point.

This stove also has a 1 year parts warranty and is built in North Carolina. The instructions that come with this unit is also great along with a fantastic support team.

This is a cheaper, more flexible aluminium vent kit for your pellet stove. Includes a face plate, moisture barrier and two clamps.

Just keep in mind this is a 2″ kit vs the above which is a 3 inch kit. You can order either size just check with your stove dimensions to see what you need.

What look for in a pellet stove

BTU rating

The main thing I advise when shopping for is consider the BTU’s the heater will put out. I suggest using this calculator to determine what size you’ll need.

Size and placement of the stove

While most pellet stoves are smaller than other types of stoves you’ll still need to consider the size of the stove and where to place it. Keep in mind you’ll have to install a vent for the stove and the placement of the stove will depend on where you can do this.

Hopper and ash tray capacity

This will depend on how much usage your stove will be getting by I suggest at least finding a hopper that holds 25lbs of pellets. If you’ll be using the stove quite frequently I suggest find an even larger hopper that holds up to 50lbs so you won’t have to fill it as often.

Manual ignition vs Automatic ignition

This is not a deal breaker for myself but some people like having the ability to start the stove automatically and not dealing with manual ignition.

FAQ’s

How to start a pellet stove?

First off fill your hopper with the proper pellets and then turn on your stove auger allowing pellets to fall into the “pot” where they can burn..

Make sure to turn the auger off to prevent more pellets dropping while starting.

Next you’ll need to open your pot door and add fuel to ignite the pellets ( gel or a physical starter). Next light the stove like you would a grill, using a long butane lighter. Once the pellets are ignited close your pot burn door.

Wait for all the pellets to be fully ignited; they turn red around the edges when burning. It may take a few minutes for all the pellets to catch on fire.

Lastly turn on your blower and auger allowing more pellets to fall and push the hot air into your RV to keep you nice and cosy.

How to clean a pellet stove?

Luckily pellet stoves are easy to clean, first remove the ash from your burn pot using a vacuum then use the tool that comes with the stove to get the surface more clean. If your model doesn’t come with a brush a simple wire brush from a hardware store will be fine.

How to clean a pellet stove pipe?

For this I recommend vacuum any loose debri or carbon build up. From here I would also clean using a pipe cleaner solution designed for stoves.

How to clean pellet stove glass?

Cleaning glass of pellet stoves is super simple. It is completely safe to use a windex or eco friendly alternative.

Are pellet stoves safe for rvs?

Yes absolutely, as long as you make sure exhaust is being pulled properly and you have a carbon dioxide smoke detector installed.

Conclusions

We hope this article has been helpful with choosing a pellet stove. I wholeheartedly believe that pellet stove are the way to go for heating RVs.

At first they might seem confusing but once you have one installed properly you’ll always have a warm and cozy RV on those cold nights and sleep knowing you aren’t wasting the bank on poor heating appliances.

Having a great RV GPS out on the open road is essential. Relying on your cell phone isnt the best option due to spotty service, batteries, and smaller screen size. Not having good navigation is a huge problem when traveling, to us this is one of the most essential pieces of equipment you can have.

Today’s GPS options are amazing, reliable and the only way to go while driving your RV. They have much larger screens, have the ability to track bridge heights to ensure your RV is safe and let you know where you can stop to hook up for your RV.

Do you want to avoid the interstate and also any dangerous high speed turns? No problem, modern GPS devices can program your rv’s height and weight and sort through roads using an algorithm to find the type of road you’re looking for.

A GPS will even alert you to things such as turning off your propane due to state regulations when crossing over boarders..

Once you have used a good GPS designed for RV’s you’ll never be able to use google maps, wazer or any other mobile GPS applications.. They’re just simply not designed for RV’s and the complexity of driving one.

In this article we list the absolute best GPS options on the market based on user reviews, internal components, warranty, applications, hands free options, software, ease of use and screen size.

You can be assured that the selections below will give you the best travel guidance and safety available.

Best Entry level GPS

The Garmin 780 is a great entry to the upper level GPS units for RV’s. It has a beautiful 6.95” edge to edge touch display so screen size should not be an issue. It has all the modern features that are a must for RV’s including custom route design that uses RV size and weight to calculate the best route for your RV and will provide warning ahead for things such as grades, sharp curves and any weight limits.

My hands down favorite part of this GPS is the exact lane images it displays. This doesn’t seem impressive until you see it yourself. When you’re on the interstate in areas with several interchanges it can be very difficult to know what lane you actually need to be in. This GPS will give you a direct path from the view of driving.

Some other great features include

-Directory of RV parks, pits stops and restaurants with the ability to filter by prices and amenities

-An excellent hands free setup

-Wifi for auto updating

-Bluetooth ready

-Garmin Drive app to access real time live traffic and impressive weather forecasts

Top Rated GPS

This is the mac daddy of GPS units, it has all the bells and whistles you can find on a modern GPS designed for RVs.

It has all the features of the Garmin RV 780 plus more.. It has a large 7” touch display, a different user interface and a built in dash cam! That might not sound exciting to some but for me it is a huge bonus. It also has built in lane avoidance, lane departure and collision avoidance to make sure you’re being safe after long hours.

Other cool features include:

Dashcam automatically saves footage incase of a collisoin and records the GPS details and time of accident

Supports SD card for built in dashcam

Ultra high resolution screen

Locates the best campgrounds using utlimate public campgrounds, KOA, iOverlander and PlanRV

Custom routes designed based off your specific RV size and dimensions

Discovers routes to avoid traffic and specific requirements you request

What to look for in a GPS

Screen size- When deciding on the best type of GPS unit, the most obvious thing you should keep in mind is the screen size. For me, the bigger the better.

My vision isn’t the best and I don’t like squinting, and taking my eyes off the road for long. I try to get the biggest screen size I can afford. Typically a screen size larger than 5 inches is plenty for most people (including yours truly).

Installation- Most GPS’s we recommend are pretty much plug and play, you have to input a few key selections about your vehicle, but that’s pretty much it otherwise some specific models will require more user input for things such as wifi, voice recognition, and user preferences.

Ease of use- The goal of a GPS is to prevent you from being distracted while driving. So when choosing a GPS device I like to look for either hands free options (voice control) or the ability to type the address and hit GO!

You will want to find a GPS that allows you to program in your settings and have the ability to program home, and any other important stops on the way into your travel planner so it will not require your input on the drive. Most Garmin GPS units have this ability, as ease of use is one of their top priorities.

Reliability-When picking a GPS we highly recommend sticking to the top bands such as Garmin or Roadmate. One of the reasons is their quality control standards will be higher and their software development is updated constantly due to having larger design teams.

Warranty- This is highly dependent on the manufacturer, but most larger brands offer a limited warranty on the product for any defective issues that are not your fault such as buggy software, bleeding screen, or bad battery.

Conclusions

We hope this article has helped you in your decision of purchasing a GPS for your RV. Finding a GPS designed for RV’ing, that is up to date with technology is by far the best option for you when traveling. Any of the devices we reviewed above will be a great choice, however a few of them might have different options that might be more appealing to you depending on your situation.

After using a truck GPS for years, I personally could never go back. Please let us know if you need anymore guidance for selecting your RV GPS.

The water pump in your RV is one of those things you don’t pay much attention to. It does its job and you go about your trip, but when its out its out.

Some water pumps will last a lifetime while other start loosing pressure quickly which is a notorious problem with some brands.

What we’ll do for you in this guide is pick our favorite water pumps based off experience, quality, customer reviews, warranties, and budget.

Lets get started.

What to look for in RV water pumps

To avoid boring you to death with the anatomy and inner working of water pumps, I’ll give you a simple break down of the five things (mechanical details) to consider when buying a water pump so you’ll know enough to understand specs when shopping.

Voltage– You want 12 volts for your RV, anything else will be overkill and more than likely designed for a physical house.

Gallons per minute (GPM)- This really explains itself, this number will tell you how many gallons it can deliver. This will tell you how strong it is, but more importantly let you know if its right for your RV.

Some RV’s have a requirement or optimum flow rate of water. Should check this out to see what you need for your rig! While you’re doing this, also check the recommended pressure or PSI as well.

Amps– You’ll need to know the amperage of a water pump to know what type of power its going to pull. If you decided to get a big boy water pumpt just keep in mind that it will draw more power.

Size– Obviously being on an RV you have size limitations, most of the pumps we recommend won’t be too big, but always good to check.

Pump priming– Some pumps have the ability to self prime and can start pulling water without water in the pump tube. This is generally not an issue in modern pumps, but if its dry and can’t self prime you could potentially damage the pump out of neglect.

This is a great pump for most applications. It pushes out 3.5 gallons per minute with a pressure of 45 psi.

Even when you have multiple water sources on at once this pump will do the job and keep the pressure up.

For the price you couldn’t ask much more out of a 12 volt pump.

Another great thing about this water pump is it will fit almost all applications and most likely won’t require you to change out the mounting bracket. In twenty minutes you should be up and running with a new water pump.

I typically recommend this pump to someone that just wants a good replacement similar to what they’re RV came with.

Should you buy: For the price, yes. This pump is fairly price, simple to install, and gives great pressure

This another good 45 PSI option, that puts out 3 gallons per minute and is self priming.

Compared to the last option it has a slightly lower gallons per minute, but higher PSI rating.

It has a nice corrosion resistant motor and is very quiet. The only draw back to this pump is its recommended to only run 5 minutes at a time, people do run this pump for WAY longer with no issues, but I’m letting you know the manufacture recommendations.This can be a big negative for some.

Should you buy: Depends, if you need a great pump, with good power and will only use it for a limited amount of time this is for you. If you plan on using a lot of water for an extended amount of time we would say skip this option.

Installing a water pump is easy using basic tools. I typically can change one out in 20-30 minutes.

Turn off water sources and electricity running to the pump

Go to the pump and loosen the clamps connecting the inlet and outlet hoses with a flat head screw driver

You’ll then have to remove the electrical wires feeding power to the pump.

Remove the bolt holding in the water pump (some use bolts, some use screws)

Pull the pump out and replace with your new shiny pump

Now just do the reverse of these steps or follow the manual supplied with the pump

If you’d like more information on how to change a pump out check out this really neat guide here.

Maintenance

Rv water pump maintenance is pretty straight forward. What I do is typically clean the filter once a year. This is just good habit to do to help prevent algae build up. Especially if your RV sits for a long time without use.

FAQ

Will the pumps in this guide run water for my toilet and a shower?

Yes, as long as you have power from your 12 volt batteries you will be good to go, be sure to keep them charged such as with our favorite method solar panels.

Will these pumps turn on automatically when I need water, such as a faucet?

Yes, we picked only self-priming pumps to keep pressure in the line for this very reason

Do these pumps shut off automatically?

Yes, the pumps we chose all turn off automatically using a pressure switch

What if my outlet house is a different size?

In most cases the pumps are adaptable and you can use an adapter fitting if needed

Will the water pump drain my battery?

No as long as you maintain a good battery, and charge correctly you should be fine. If you would like more information on batteries check out our guide here.

Conclusion

We hope this guide was helpful in choosing a water pump. We selected all of our choices based off real life experiences, reviews, and specifications that will give you dependable, strong water pressure when you need it.

Happy Camping :

]]>https://campfrugal.com/2019/11/20/the-best-rv-water-pump/feed/1The Best RV Generator: A Comprehensive Guidehttps://campfrugal.com/2019/11/20/the-best-rv-generator-a-comprehensive-guide/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-best-rv-generator-a-comprehensive-guide
https://campfrugal.com/2019/11/20/the-best-rv-generator-a-comprehensive-guide/#respondWed, 20 Nov 2019 15:31:40 +0000http://campfrugal.com/?p=70Read more]]>There are large varieties of RV generators out there, but the
great question is; how can you find the perfect one that meets your needs
without spending a fortune? The demand for RV generators has increased in
recent years. The devices can come in handy when you are outdoors camping or
when the power grid is down at home.

In this article, we are going to guide you on buying an RV
generator that will power your appliances without busting your budget. We are
also going to answer some of the most common questions about these devices as
well as how to maintain.

Things to consider when buying a generator for your RV

Before buying an RV generator, there are some factors you
need to keep in mind. These factors will help you make an informed decision.
Below are some of these factors discussed in details:

Power out

Many generator users usually associate the size of the
generator with its power output. It is a good idea to consider the generator’s
power output before buying it. You need to be sure that it will power all of
your appliances without consuming too much fuel. If your RV has a lot of cool
gadgets, it is even more important that you get a generator that will be able
to sustain your lifestyle. The best starting point is determining how much
power you are going to need. This will be made easy if you can take into
account every electronic device that requires power in your RV. The general
rule of thumb is getting a portable generator with more than 2000 watts.

Noise level

As far as the noise is concerned, the bigger and powerful
your generator is the louder is likely to be. However that is not necessary
these days, with the advancement in technology, there are many portable
generators that function with minimal noise levels between 50 to 60 decibels,
which is quite an improvement from the previous models.

Also, while many people might not know this, the fuel you use
in your generator will influence its noise output. Diesel and gas-powered
generators tend to be louder than their propane-powered counterparts. But
inverter options will help you reduce the noise.

Assuming you want a quiet generator, you should get one for
your RV with a tolerable noise output. Generally, if quietness is what you are
after, then you should choose a generator that produces less than 65 decibels.

Note that if you are planning to go on a forest camping or
any other camping ground, you are likely to be slapped with a noise restriction
to about 60 decibels at 50 feet.

Alternatively, to avoid feuds with the locals or authorities,
simply go for an inverter generator. These types of generators use special
advanced technology that allows the engine to work using varying speed. They also use less fuel, which is why they
make a minimal sound.

Fuel
consumption

If you don’t do your homework well, you will end up with an RV
generator that needs re-fueling every thirty minutes. You will end up spending
a lot of money on fuel as well as time re-fueling. Those are not the only
problems if you are out in the woods with your RV; chances are the nearest gas
station is halfway around the earth. So if you generator run down the fuel
every other hour, getting more might be a huge problem.

Today, you can find portable generators that can function up
to 5 hours on just 2 gallons of fuel. Note that the more powerful your
generator, the more fuel it will need. Also, open frame generators will burn
fuel at a faster rate than other portable models.

To avoid being stuck in the middle of nowhere without power,
you need to be rational. Going for a bigger, more powerful generator for your
RV can be a wise move, but it is costly. However, buying two portable
generators to run parallel to each other is a more cost-effective solution.

When buying an RV generator, choose the one that balances
providing the most power out with least fuel usage.

Maintenance

A perfect RV generator is one that requires minimal
maintenance; otherwise, you risk getting stranded right in the middle of your
fun adventure. A generator that requires constant maintenance means burning
more cash.

Get a portable generator that is reliable and will run for
hours without any disturbances. Generally, diesel-powered tend to require
minimal maintenance than their gas-powered counterparts.

Types of
fuel
RV
portable generators use mainly four types of fuels; natural gas, propane,
diesel, and gasoline. As you can imagine, different fuel will mean different
performance. If you don’t want smelly fumes to invade your outdoor adventure,
then your best bet is a propane-powered generator. It burns cleanest of all
generators, followed by diesel, and then gasoline. Besides, propane is the most
environmentally friendly fuel than others, and the easiest to carry

If you want a reliable, cost-effective portable generator,
the Champion Power 3500 is the best one yet on the market. It will provide
value for money, and you won’t regret your investment. It is a gas-powered
machine and can continuously supply up to 3500 watts of power with a maximum
power output of up to 4000 watts. This equipment is safely designed with a
low-oil shut off the sensor and a 0.6-quart oil capacity. It is powerful and
has a volt guard that prevents overloads and ensure safety for your valuable
equipment in case of voltage spikes. The voltmeter allows you to check the
power output at a glance. The machine also comes with a 3 years warranty to
boost your confidence on the generator.

One of the cool features is the manual recoil pull-start,
which let you use a very minimal amount of effort to get it started. The recoil
start does not require batteries.

What we like

It is so powerful to even run a 15,000 BTU RV air conditioner.

The 196cc Champion engine has a cold start feature, which makes it easier to start the generator in the cold season.

This generator will be a great deal for your money. It is an
excellent choice for someone who is looking for a mid-range generator at an
affordable price but with decent power output. The model is a bestseller
product of the manufacturer and has loads of positive reviews from consumers.

DuroStar is a budget-friendly generator, which makes it a
perfect choice for an RV generator or as a backup at home. It has a tank
capacity of 4 gallons, which when full, can run for up to 8 hours provided it
is running at 50% load. The tank also has an easy-to-read gauge, so you don’t
have to strain to know how low the tank is running.

What to like

Low oil shut off

Has a sturdy, heavy-duty frame as well as an isolated motor mount that enhances inaudible and smooth operation.

It has fully-powered panel alongside power outlets, voltmeter. And circuit breakers.

This brand is among the well-knowns in the market when it comes to quality, durable appliances. Westinghouse portable generator is gasoline-powered and can produce more than 3,500 running watts alongside a maximum power output of 4,200 watts. The generator is also easy and convenient to start due to its one-touch electrical start button. The Pulse-Flo muffler allows the generator to operate stealthily.

With its 4-standard outlets, you can be sure to power all
your electrical devices in your RV.

The generator is also backed by a warranty of 3 years from
the manufacturer and is furthermore EPA approved.

What to like

It has a starting power of 3,500 watts and a running power of 4,200 watts.

It is a play and plug generator, meaning you can immediately start using it after getting it out of the box. Moreover, it comes with fuel funnel, toolkit, and oil, which can be used right away. It also involves minimal assembly to set it up.

The generator includes a tank capacity of 6.6 that can run for up to 11 hours as long as it is on a 25% load.

The WEN generator is also an excellent choice for RV. It is
highly portable and powerful, capable of producing clean energy so you don’t
get distracted with fuel fumes.

This generator can power just about any kind of appliances
you have, including laptops, phones, and televisions without power fluctuation.
You also don’t have to worry about the noise with this machine, unlike many
generators.

What to like

Produces up to 1000 watts and 12500 surge watts

It generates clean power, so you don’t have to worry about your electronics getting damaged.

This portable generator is an excellent choice if you are
looking for a reliable RV generator. It is compact and highly functional, with
capabilities of generating plenty of clean power. It is also super-silent.

What to like

It is designed to prevent engine damage

The cast-iron cylinder prolongs the life span of the engine.

16.7 amp surge capability to 20 amps which is great for starting appliances

Maintaining your RV
generator makes total sense. After all, you have just spent a lot of your money
on it, and you want it last for long. Here are a few maintenance tips for your
machine.

Keep track
of the hour meter

The hour meter keeps the track of the time your RV generator
has been running. All RV generators have one. The benefit of checking this
meter is so that you can know when to change the generator’s oil.

Change the
oil, filters, and fluids of your generator

Generally, you are supposed to change the oil in your RV
generator after fifty hours of running and every hundred-and-fifty hours after
the first change. You should also change the filters when changing the oil, as
well as the topping the coolant level.

Run your
generator frequently

You need to use your RV generator frequently to ensure things
run smoothly. If are storing your generator for future use, at least run it
every 3 to 4 weeks to prevent the fuel from sticking up the generator.

Don’t
remove the covers

Never remove the front cover or any cover from your RV
generator while it is still running. The covers are designed to enhance airflow
in the engine.

Common
questions answered

Q: how much
power should an RV generator produce?

A: First check out your appliances in your RV and single out
those that use 120 volts. Add the number of voltages to get an idea of the
minimum wattage requirement. Remember too much power will blow the circuits in
your RV, and too little won’t be able to sustain you.

Q: Gasoline
or Propane?

A: While these two fuels are the most popular among the RVers, they both have their own good and bad sides. Go through each advantage and disadvantage and see which fuel suits your lifestyle, however for most people we highly recommend gasoline engines at least when starting out

Conclusion Buying a generator can be overwhelming especially when there are so many options and different price points. All of the generators in this review will suffice for most RV applications with general electrical usage We hope this article has covered everything you need to know about portable RV generators. In case you still have questions, don’t hesitate to let us know. We will love to help you out.

]]>https://campfrugal.com/2019/11/20/the-best-rv-generator-a-comprehensive-guide/feed/0Best RV Solar panels: A Complete Guidehttps://campfrugal.com/2019/09/23/best-rv-solar-panels-a-complete-guide/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=best-rv-solar-panels-a-complete-guide
https://campfrugal.com/2019/09/23/best-rv-solar-panels-a-complete-guide/#commentsMon, 23 Sep 2019 23:21:56 +0000http://campfrugal.com/?p=40Read more]]>Just a fair warning.. I love solar panels! Something about
the freedom of traveling anywhere off the grid and knowing that I’m generating
power just from being in the sun puts a smile on my face.

Solar panels on RV’s can be very intimidating and be
overwhelming, however manufactures these days have started to really break in
the market of providing customers with solar power kits that are simple to
install.

Again, we personally love solar panels on our rig, it’s a great
feeling being off the grid for an extended amount of time without worrying
about the batteries. It also provides a piece of mind having a backup charging
system. And how couldn’t you fall in
love with not hearing those generators running?! I want some peace and quiet!

Another great reason we love solar panels is the cost
reduction of energy bills when charging your batteries.

I personally have been intimated by solar panels before, but
since finally pulling the trigger and purchasing a kit I’ve never looked back.
Just remember that it doesn’t take a wizard to figure these things out, at the
end of the day it’s a battery charger!

Before we get into
our favorite kits, please be aware that not all solar panels are created equal.
There are several cheap knockout off brands that come out of china and should
be avoided at all costs.

If you get the right solar panels they’ll last 25-30 years
and keep their efficiency over 70% their entire life span!

Below we try to steer you clear of cheap, junky solar panels
and get you started on the right track, so you can be converted like us. Even
though they’re tons of panels on the market we focused on good brands with a
great reputation and tried to give several options for people with different
budgets and needs in their solar panels.

Renogy has become a pretty well known company in the RV
charging business. I haven’t seen any downsides to any of their products,
including their batteries.

This kit is absolutely perfect for someone getting into
solar panels. Its is simple which is key especially when hooking up your first
solar panel kit.

It comes with two 100 watt monocrystalline solar panels coming in at a dimension of 47.3 x 21.3 x 1.4 inches.

It also comes with a charge controller, adapter kit,
z-brackets for mounting, a cable entry housing (this will help installing and
running cables from the roof), and an optional Bluetooth module for monitoring
and parameter changes from your phone.

This kit also comes with a diode bypass which will help
keep the power from fluctuating when in shade.

And for the most frequent question we get asked: Yes, these panels will absolutely be sufficient for full time RV living.

This is great affordable entry level solar
panel kit. It comes with everything you need to get started in solar.

It includes one 100 watt solar panel, an LCD
solar charge controller and all the hardware and great manual to install it
easily.

We recommend this as an entry kit because you
can easily add more solar panels to this system if you get into solar and
realize you want or need a little more power. The charge controller allows up
to 4 panels which mean you could push 400 watts to the controller if you would
like.

This kit also comes with 40 feet of 12 AWG
solar cable so you wont come up short on wire when installing it.

The dimensions of this system are
40”x26.4”x1.2” and weighs 17 pounds, so it’s a great small, light weight panel
to get you started.

How do solar panels work on RV’s?

Sun hits the solar panels and transfers the energy through
the solar panel wires to a “solar controller” which regulates the power to your
battery or battery bank.

From here you have the ability to tap into DC power (think
plugins for your car, like a phone charger that stick in your cigarette
lighter), however to use more common appliances you would find in your home you
will use a power converter which converts the DC power to AC power.

Once your power has been regulated, and now converted, the
electricity runs to your fuse box/breaker box to your outlets! Pretty simple
huh?

As always, we highly recommend monitoring those batteries!
You can find several great options that won’t set up back very much.

Different types of RV
panels

Below I’m going to tell give you a brief description of the
different types of RV solar panels but I will warn you that its not a one fits
all scenario. Like most things for your rig, your budget is dependent on what
your buy.

Amorphous Silicon–
Sounds weird right? This is basically a thin film laid across glass. The great
thing about these is the flexibility and also very cheap! Unfortunately they
are not as efficient as the other methods we’ll mention.

Take away: These are great if you have a ton of space on top
of your rig, and are looking for decent power, but for small areas we’d
probably go with something else.

Crystalline- Next
up is crystalline panels, the two types we’ll focus on due to being the most
common from in RV’s is:

MonoCrystalline– This is the big dog when it comes to highest efficiency when it comes to converting sunlight to power.

Although depending on the brand and design efficiency can
vary but overall these deliver the highest output and also take up the least
amount of space!

PolyCrystalline– This is a more budget friendly version of monocrystalline, but works great in direct, bright sun. You’ll see this form in a lot of cheaper applications.

What to look for in
RV solar panels

Efficiency–
Efficiency in solar panels really ties into the previous topic on types of
panels and their size. As long as you choose a high quality Crystalline solar
panel, efficiency will be more dependent on time of day, sun/clouds, and
temperature (higher temps=lower efficiency).

Wattage– A
general guideline is 100 watt solar panel will produce 30 amps per day, 200
watts will produce 60 amps per day.

So typically to generate a decent amount per day, getting
multiple panels will be your best bet.

Ok so how many watts will I need?

Well there’s two ways to go about this. Energy calculators
are rarely accurate so the most accurate way is to measure how much voltage you
use during a normal trip.

Another way you can do this is physically calculate how many
amps all of your devices draw during a trip.

I can tell you from my experience that most people (not
being too conservative, but also not running a crazy amount of appliances)
typically can usually power the rig’s gear with 300 watts give or take.

Reliability–
Solar panels are notoriously reliable, this isn’t much of a concern for us. I
believe having a more reliable battery monitor is more important as well as
converter. Stick to one of our recommendations and you’ll be fine.

Durability– Solar
panels on RV’s are pretty dang durable. Most will withstand high winds, snow,
temperatures you name it.

The one thing I can’t say enough though is clean your
panels! This will help prolong their life and also increase how efficient they
are at charging your batteries. I cant count how many times I’ve looked at
peoples panels and they’re covered with bird droppings, sap and dirt!

Warranty- This is
an important topic when shopping for solar panels. Most companies will provide
extensive warranties when the RV panels are MADE for RV’s. If you purchase
knock off panels not intended for RV’s theres a high possibility that you will
have no warranty on your system.

When we select our panels, the warranty is one of the first
things we look for. We plan on having these panels for decades as you should as
well.

Ease of installation–
Ah installation, what separates the strong from the weak, as I’ve mentioned
before, do not be scared of putting up your panels. It is not as scary as you
think.

To keep installation simple and sweet, we like to chose
panels that are meant to be installed on RV’s, have an installation kit, and a
reputation for not being difficult.

Even though some kits differ than others the general steps
are:

Mount the solar panel brackets to the frame

Run the wires (most people use their ventilation
system (think refrigerator vents)

Connect to a charge controller and inverter

As always read your installation guide for the best methods
suited for your panels.

Maintenance

My 2nd favorite part about solar panels is the
maintenance, its basically zero.. Since you don’t have to worry about moving
parts, there really isn’t anything to do other than keep them clean. I check
the cables once a year or so to make sure I have a good connection but that’s
about it!

Conclusions

We sincerely hope you’ve gained some insight on buying solar panels after reading this guide. Although there are dozens of panels and companies on the market we stuck to reviewing brands and products we feel will suit your needs.

If you have any questions, please feel free to drop a comment below and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

One last tip we recommend for RVers purchasing new solar kits is to make sure you have good batteries! Taking the time to buy a new kit and hooking it up to old batteries that have aged poorly or don’t have many cycles left is not a good idea.

One of the greatest joys of owning an RV is the freedom,freedom to hit the road, and leave all your problems and stressors at home.

When you get out on the open road and set up your camp, thelast thing you’ll want on your mind is a sketchy battery that can’t hold acharge, or even worse.. a battery that dies while trying to run an AC orfridge, this would ruin your trip immediately.

We believe firmly in choosing a top of the line RV deepcycle battery because even though some items can be skimped on, having a goodreliable battery on the back roads or in the mountains is priceless. Having theassurance of reliability will not only keep you from being stranded but leaveyou worry free to enjoy your trip.

With a sea of no name or knock off companies these daysmaking batteries, it can be hard to distinguish which brands and makes arereliable and which are cheap and will only work for a few trips.

Below we’ve done countless hours of research to compile a guide of the bestdeep cycle batteries as well as important features and what to look for whenshopping.

One of our favorite parts ofthis battery is its size! If you have an RV that doesn’t have much room tospare this little beastly battery is perfect. Another great use for thisbattery is just having it around in case you need a strong little batterythat’s portable.

When you’re looking for a cheap cost effective battery for smaller jobs, we can’t recommend this battery enough.

While the VMAX is more of a power house, this battery is much cheaper (and lighter). If you need a battery that you can pick up and move around with you this will be your go to, weighing in at 23 pounds!

This is battery uses sealedled Acid (SLA), this battery is rated at 35 AH and dimensions are: 7.68 in x 5.16 in x 7.13 in

It includes a valveregulator allowing this battery to be used indoors and outdoors, using acalcium grid to extend cycling.

Positives

Negatives

Low Price Light weightGreat output for sizePortable Can be mounted in any position30 Day refund 1 year full warranty

If we had to choose onebattery for all around performance, durability and dependability. We can’trecommend this battery enough.

This is our personal favoritebrand, that we use ourselves. This battery is designed to use in the harshestof conditions, packing 750 cold cranking amps.

The reason we chose thisbattery is how its designed to be ran continuously. It contains six packs ofsuper tight coiled lead plates far exceeding typical flat plate batteries.

This battery also has anextremely fast recharge time which is great for people like me that forgets tocharge my battery!

Positives

Negatives

Very powerful amperage High quality build Built in reserve capacity (120 minutes constant use)15X more resistant to vibrationLong battery life Can be mounted anywhereGood replacement warranty (no haggle)

How We Selected theBest Deep Cycle RV Batteries

We spent countless hours researching and reviewing thebiggest manufacture and their best models looking at their battery components,customer reviews, reliability problems, and finding out what people werelooking for (including us) and also our history of brands of batteries we havepurchased.

Important Features to Consider

Type of Battery

Depth of discharge

Amp Hour rating

Maintenance

Cold cranking amps

Cycle Life

Charging methods

Battery Type:

When comparing different types of batteries one of the firstthings you have to decide is what type of battery you will want, a 12 volt orAGM sealed battery.

12 Volt batteries

The cheapest will be your typical 12V battery, the bestthing about these batteries is they’re cheap and decent at starting and ok atdeep cycle.

One downside to these batteries is they have to bemaintained. 12 volt batteries are vented and release gas, if the water level ofthese batteries are not maintained you will eventually kill the battery or giveit a shorter life span.

AGM batteries

In almost all cases these batteries are superior due to nomaintenance, they are sealed which means you can mount them in anyposition. Other huge pros of thesebatteris is they charge much faster and store better (do not lose energy).

In the past the biggest con of AGM batteries was the price,however today they do not cost much more than regular batteries and aresuperior in pretty much every other way.

Depth of Discharge:

Each manufacture has recommendations on what depth ofdischarge a battery can undergo to prolong its life.

A simple explanation of depth of discharge is 50%, thatmeans you can allow your battery to go to 50% capacity before recharging to100%. When you go below the recommended levels you allow sulfation to occurwhich causes lead sulfate crystals to build up which is the lead cause ofbattery death.

Amp Hour Rating:

Amp hour rating is the amount of amps a batter can usetypically per hour. Say you have a 50AH battery, this means it will supply 50amps per hour.

If your battery doesn’t have per hour, and just says 100 ampin some cases such as this, a battery will be measured by a 20 hour rate(industry wide). For instance if you have a 100 amp rated battery, this meanthe battery can produce 5 amps per hour for 20 hours.

For the most part you should stick to finding batterydisplaying amp hour ratings (AH).

Maintenance:

Even though maintenance on a battery seems crazy easy, whenyou have so many other components and lists to tackle while prepping your RVnot having to check batteries and hope they’re charged is a real time saver.

Cold Cranking Amps

This refers to the amount of Amps your battery will havewhen something is pulling power from it during sub zero temperatures.

This will be something to really pay attention to if your RVwill be in cold climates, especially for an extended amount of time. Thebatteries we go over in this guide have more than enough for basically any coldcondition.

Cycle Life

This is an important feature that must not be skipped. Thisrefers to the amount of charging and discharging cycles a battery can handle.

Some manufactures “will over engineer” the battery to lastmore than listed while cheaper manufactures will do the opposite. This best wayto choose a good cycle life is to pick a known brand that has excellent qualitycontrol and quality assurance.

Charging

As stated numerous times in this guide, having a batterythat holds charge and has the ablity to charge quickly is paramount.

Normal lead 12 volt battery will off gas and lose chargeover time and take longer to charge back to 100% while AGM batteries will holdcharge for a very long time and also charge quicker.

Another important topic is how the battery will be charged?Solar? Generator? Trickle charger?

All of these can influence the way a battery willcharge.

How do deep cycle RVbatteries work?

One of the best features of deep cycle batteries and why they’resought after is the ability to discharge its almost entire capacity regularly.

Common Question andConcerns

How do I charge mybattery?

Typically a manufacture will recommend how to charge yourbattery, always make sure you are using a converter if necessary to convertfrom different currents. A smart charger is a great bet if you are uncertain.

Typically a battery will be fully charged (depends on yourcharging method and battery type) in around 3-4 days.

How long will mybattery hold a charge?

This is very dependent on several factors that don’t allowus to give you a specific time, including temperature, age of the battery, typeof battery, what it’s being used for and how it was charged.

Our bestrecommendation is to get a battery monitor, we can’t recommend this enough whenout on the road.

How long will my battery last?

Again very dependent on many factors. We’ve seen cheap batteries last 2 years while the average good name brand highly maintained battery last up to 10 years! We’d say the average is 5-7 years!

How to remove/replace battery/connect batteries

Power down your vehicle, cut off the main disconnect switch if you have it, if not turn off all the breakers.

Locate the battery and disconnect the negative terminal first with a socket wrench (please don’t use pliers, rounding screws are easier than you think).

Remove the red terminal cable (don’t allow the red and black to touch! You’ll only forget this once)

Disconnect the black cable from the negative terminal and repeat the cleaning on this cable

A good habit is to clean the cables with a wire brush to ensure a great connection before tightening back

Connect the red cable to the red positive terminal first and tighten, do the same with the black cable and negative terminal

Now you should be good to turn the power back on!

Conclusion

We genuinely hope you’ve enjoyed this guide and its beenhelpful while looking for a deep cycle battery for your RV. With the importanceof using reliable and safe batteries we’ve put extensive consideration intothis guide to help you choose a great battery.

If you’re looking for the best set up for electricity please checkout our awesome new guide to Solar panel kits here